Vestibular Audiology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain the principles underpinning the main vestibular assessment and treatment methods, their clinical application and the desirable features of clinical studies providing evidence of their effectiveness
• Explain the normal anatomy and physiology of the peripheral vestibular system, its associated motor functions (with emphasis on the vestibular ocular reflexes) and its interactions with other components of the balance system
• Explain the pathophysiological processes, differential diagnosis and psychosocial impacts in the context of the ICF involved with acute and chronic unilateral peripheral hypofunction (from various causes and including mechanisms of recovery), BPPV (with emphasis on posterior canalithiasis), Meniere's disease, vestibular migraine and fistula/dehiscence.
• Demonstrate mastery of effective self-directed learning and scientific communication
• Critically evaluate information, including from the research literature, on the epidemiology, differential diagnosis, assessment, treatment and psychosocial impacts of vestibular disorders

Tutorials and associated pre-recorded lectures and tasks cover:

> Anatomy and physiology

• The vestibular, balance and associated visual systems
• The vestibular ocular reflex and nystagmus
• Mechanisms of recovery

> Vestibular disorders (introduction to epidemiology, pathophysiology, ICVD diagnostic criteria, assessment and treatment)

• Acute and chronic unilateral hypofunction/vestibulopathy
• BPPV
• Vestibular migraine (VM)
• Meniere's disease (MD)
• Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)
• Semi-circular canal fistula (SCD) and dehiscence
• Awareness of various other causes of dizziness (including bilateral hypofunction and presbyvestibulopathy)

> Assessment techniques

• Observation and interview
• Bedside testing including of the vestibular ocular and spinal reflexes
• Measurement of eye movements (VNG and ENG) and ocular motor testing
• Caloric testing
• vHIT

> Impact and management

• ICF and core sets for dizziness
• Impact of vestibular disorders on life
• Vestibular rehabilitation

> Putting it all together

• Differential diagnosis
• Treatment: RCTs and measures of effectiveness
• Cochrane systematic reviews of treatments (BPPV, MD, VM and PPPD)

Practical/demo sessions cover:

> From the bedside

• Interview and eye examination
• Head impulse test and postural examination
• BPPV testing and particle re-positioning manoeuvres
• Vestibular rehabilitation

> Semi-circular canal testing

• VNG and ocular motor tests
• Caloric test
• vHIT
• BPPV revisited

> VEMPs

The module uses flipped learning, whereby each week students undertake a series of tasks (including studying specially produced pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, formative assignments and short literature reviews) ahead of a tutorial during which we have an in-depth discussion of the tasks and issues that emerged. The module also includes practical demonstration and drop-in Q&A sessions.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.